Charge hydrator



Aug. 10 1926.

S. B. CALDWELL CHARGE HYDRATOR Filed Dec. l5

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Patented ug. 10,'V 19265.y

vUNITED;srifrss SAMUEL B'. CALDWELL, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

CHARGE HYDRA'roR.

Application led December 15, 1924. Serial Noi. 756,077.

rl`his invention relates to internal combustion engine charge modifying apparatus, and specifically to such apparatus adapted to feed aqueous moisture to the charge to obtain the beneficial result-s of such practice as is well understood.

The objects of lmy invention are to provide improved means for carrying out the practice, also such apparatus which will be automatic in its 'action and yprovide for complete control of operation, also which will be simple, durable and easy to yinstall on'any engine. Y

My invention is illustrated vin the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of the forward end of an automobile power plant with my apparatus in place and arranged to receive water from the cooling system and deliver it under control to the intake manifold, and

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the apparatus proper showing all the cooperating features.

In further detail 1 represents an automobile engine, 2 the exhaust manifold with my apparatus 3 secured thereto and connected by a small pipe 4 with the water circulation system preferably near the radiator at a high point so as to receive water as free from sediment as possible and by another pipe 5 to deliver a controlled mixture of air and water to the intake manifold 6v through the suction created by the engine at'the intake strokes yof the pistons.

The apparatus comprises a cup-like body 7 having a the lid is a lug 9 having a belt hole 10 by means of which the device is bolted directly to one of the exhaust manifold studs 11 as shown in Figure 1. This lug 9 is made projecting vertically as shown, the object being to provide attaching means by which the cup 7 will be supported in the position shown so that an annular float 12 within the cup will be free to rise and fall vertically on the water X to close o the pipe 4 by means of a hinged valve 13 fitted with a soft disk 14 adapted to seat againstvthe nip le 15 connected with the water pipe 4.

Tihe valve is suitably hinged at 16 and has spring arms 17 and 18 extending by contact with the ascending lioat so that the pipe 4 will be closed olf when a. predetermined amount of water has flowed into th cup from the circulating system. Y

threaded lid 8 and preferably onk Extending vertically through an opening y in the center of the float is a tube 19 4ter- 'Yminating above the bottom of the Ycup and having several small air holes 2O drilled tl'irough it just under the lid 'as shown, and on the outside of the cup is a vertically arranged air receiving tube'21 o'pen to atmosphere at its upper end and .communicating with the interior of theucup at its lower end atV 22. Y*

At the upper end ofthe tube 19 is a wire gauze screen 23 seated againstfa shoulder as shown and below the screen is positioned a sponge 24 wrapped loosely around a sustaining fin or spine 25 of metal of any form adapted to prevent the sponge sagging limp ly to the bottom when wet with hot water. rlhe sponge 24 can be replaced. by other suitable fibrous or capillary material or avsoft cloth properly supported to preventit froml wadding up.

Above the gauze an extension tube 26 is screwed into the end of tube 19 and threadedly carrying at its lower end a nipple 27 having a small central hole of a caliber dependent on the service required of the apparatus, the proper nipple being selected for a given engine capacity.

Above the nipple 27 the extension tube 26 has several perforations 28 and theftube Vis surrounded by a sleeve 29 having a slanted 'notch 3() and adapted for turning upon `the extension to shut 'off the holes 28 progressively and for being locked by a small screw 31.

The upper endV of the extension is threaded to receive the coupling 32 of the pipe 5 and also screwed on the threaded end of the extension'is a larger tube 33 spacedly covering the tubes 19 and 26 down to the lid 8,

l and at the lower end of this larger tube 33 4is a series of holes 34 for freely admitting In operation the cup is kept partly filled with water up to a level determined by the float and valve, and the sponge becomes moistened therewith.

The engine creates a partial vacuum in the vpipe 5 which draws air through the wet sponge from the air space above the float supplied by bubbles from the lower end of air tube 21, the air passing through holes 20 in tube 19.

This air is drawn into the sponge at a point about half way up and carries the sponge yis determinedfby 'the .size 1of the' -Yopening in nipple 27 and just above that point the moisture is broken pfloyaii Y drawn in through openings 28 which communicate with the outer atmosphere through holes 34.k Y v The efficacy of fthe device. depends on the proper selection of nipplelf( and the Vsetting of the openings 28 andv once this is determined for a given engine the action is entirely automatic, except for an occasional `clea`ning of the sponge. Y 1

.On account of the' attaching lug 9,]oe'i`ng onthelid 8`of the cup, the latter is alvvays 'free to be unscreved for cleaning the sponge .or valve, etc., Without in anyway disturbing the piping to the engine orfthe setting g of thevadjustments. p

l. In an internalcombustion engine having a vvaterCirculation,4 a receptacle con-I nected to receive Water therefrom, a sponge immersed.therein,V automatic means for controlling the amount of Water Withintli'e receptacle; means lfor mixing air With the Water,l andV means for delivering the admin-V ture to'the intake manifoldof the engine receptacle, means jfor mixing air with" the Water and means for deliveringthe adminture to the-intake manifold 'offtlie engine after *drawing the air through saidv 'capillary siii/ronnie. 

